Sanford, FL. (February 7, 2018) - Officially Amazing! A new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the Fastest Journey from Key West to Cuba by Powered Boat has been approved at 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 3 seconds set on August 17, 2017 officially naming Nigel Hook and Jay Johnson “Guinness World Records® Record Holders”.

The UIM, recognized as the sole global authority in Powerboating by the International Olympic Committee, recorded two world records:

Key West to Havana Elapsed time: 1:18:03 Average: 78.742mph

Key West - Havana - Key West Elapsed time: 5:41:59* Average: 35.90mph

*time includes the 2:17:43 stop in Cuba for passport stamps and press conference

And the APBA, the US governing body for power boat racing as authorized by the UIM, included a third world record for the return trip from Cuba back to the US:

Havana to Key West Elapsed time: 2:06:13 Average: 48.631mph

Now Hook and Johnson, along with their topnotch team, not only have bragging rights for the fastest time to Cuba in their #77 Lucas Oil SilverHook, they are also the first team able to return to Key West under their own power on the same day. The return trip became its own adventure when just 12 miles into it, the port side abruptly lost power. Hook said “Coming back on one engine was extremely challenging because of the strong side currents from the Gulf. They were so powerful that if we fell off plane, we would have been pushed east faster than idling north.” Johnson agreed, “It would have been a long tow on a dark night in 5-7 footers … or a long slide over to the Bahamas for breakfast!”

Nigel and Jay are quick to state that these world records include their crew and outstanding sponsors.

Whenever you are going across the ocean and over the horizon, technology makes the difference for sustaining speed and safety. Hook states “We wouldn’t leave shore without our t3lemetry powered by Watson IoT. It’s like having your whole team of experts sitting next to you virtually in the cockpit and when you are stretched physically and visually overloaded, that robotic voice alerting you to the next potential hazard is a game changer.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvA5ghzNF_Y

Nigel Hook & Jay Johnson – A warm welcome in Havana, Cuba

About Guinness World Records

Established in 1954, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS (GWR) is the global authority on record-breaking achievement. Of the thousands of applications received every month, less than 5% actually make it to become an official entry in the 40,000 world records archived in the Guinness World Records database.

SilverHook® Powerboats is the most exclusive and technically advanced offshore monohull in the world. With lines echoing the iconic XKE that Enzo Ferrari said was the most beautiful car ever made!